Splash of color

Paint wakes up a quiet garden corner

Color is a powerful design tool, most often introduced into a garden with flowers or accessories such as tiles and fabrics. But paint ― applied to walls, paving, arbors, or even pots ― can achieve remarkable results of its own.

Used carefully, colored walls and structures create different effects. Some colors seem to expand the garden; others make it smaller. Warm oranges and reds can make an outdoor space vibrate; cool blues, grays, or greens create a sense of calm.